By Tammy Moore Teague
A newly proposed bill would provide the funding for all Arkansas Public Schools to hire a resource officer.
The legislation was proposed by Democratic member of the House of Representatives, Scott Baltz. He stipulated that the bill, if passed, would require schools to have a resource officer in place by the 2020-21 school year.
The estimated cost of 40 million is slated to come out of the state’s $151 million surplus. Opponents of the bill say it’s too risky to count on this for funding as surplus funds fluctuate.
Provisions Include the placing of a resource officer on the school campus, while providing funding for equipment like metal detectors and arming teachers.
While legislators on both side of the aisle agree action needs to be taken, finding the funding for it will be the key.